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French Wine Scholar 2024 > Bordeaux > Flashcards

Bordeaux Flashcards

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1
Q

Who is Émile Peynaud?

A
  • Professor of Oenology at Bordeaux University
  • encouraged the use of fruit of young vine stocks under a second label (gave a boost to grand vin)

1912-2004

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2
Q

Who is Robert Parker?

A
  • He championed the 1982 Bordeaux vintage, giving high scores
  • Launched his career and triggered the 3rd Golden Age

Bordeaux is still in 3rd Golden Age

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3
Q

What does Aquitaine mean?

A

“well-watered place”

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4
Q

What are the Dordogne & Garonne in Bordeaux?

A

rivers

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5
Q

What is the Gironde?

A

It is an estuary that links the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers to the Atlantic Ocean.

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6
Q

What are the 3 levels of AOC in Bordeaux?

A
  1. Regional
  2. Sub-Regional
  3. Commune

They get more precise as you get to the Commune level

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7
Q

What is the difference between Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Supérieur AOC?

A
  • Bordeaux Supérieur AOC wines require lower yields and higher minimum ABV
  • There is no dry white Bordeaux Supérieur AOC
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8
Q

What are the 3 principal rivers in Bordeaux?

A

Garonne
Dordogne
Gironde Estuary

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9
Q

What place does Carménère have in Bordeaux?

A
  • a rarity within the modern Bordeaux blends
  • succumbed to the diseases of the 1800s and was not replanted on a large scale
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10
Q

What does Petit Verdot add to the Bordeaux blend and how popular is it in Bordeaux?

A
  • adds tannin, pigment, and spice to the Bordeaux blend
  • now ripens more regularly and is becoming fashionable again
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11
Q

Where is Malbec (Côt) found in Bordeaux and what does it add to a blend?

A
  • largely found in Blaye, Bourg, and Entre-deux-Mers.
  • low-acid nature softens a blend and adds black fruit
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12
Q

What place does Cabernet Franc have in Bordeaux?

A
  • plays a significant role in Saint-Émilion (sometimes 30-35% of blend)
  • forms the backbone of the red blends in the Côtes.
  • flavor and structure similar to Cabernet Sauvignon but to lesser degree
  • has a leafy, tea-like nature that Cab Sauv does not
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13
Q

What place does Cabernet Sauvignon have in Bordeaux?

A
  • 20% of area under vine
  • forms the backbone of the Left Bank blends
  • inherent structure crafts wines that can age for decades
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14
Q

What place does Merlot have in Bordeaux?

A
  • 59% of area under vine
  • most widely planted variety in Bordeaux
  • add “flesh” to Cabernet Sauvignon’s skeletal structure and fruit to Cabernet Franc’s herbal/leafy flavor profile

with global warming, its future is unclear

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15
Q

What place does Muscadelle have in Bordeaux?

A
  • an intensely aromatic variety
  • general used in small amounts (5% or less) to boost the aromatics of sweet wines
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16
Q

What place does Sauvignon Blanc have in Bordeaux?

A
  • typically dominates Bordeaux’s dry white blends
  • inceasingly becoming the only grape in those bottlings
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17
Q

What place does Sémillon have in Bordeaux?

A
  • typically used as primary grape for sweet wine
  • quite susceptible to botrytis
  • has natural affininty for oak
  • used to be most planted white grape in Bordeaux, but Sauvignon Blanc has caught up
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18
Q

What are the 3 primary white grapes of Bordeaux?

A

Sémillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle

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19
Q

What three Entre-Deux-Mers sites can bottle dry red wines under their own AOC name?

A
  1. Graves de Vayres AOC
  2. Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux DGC
  3. Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux DGC
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20
Q

What four Entre-deux-Mers AOCs produce sweet wines of at least 4.5% RS?

A
  1. Cadillac AOC (sweet only)
  2. Loupiac AOC (sweet only)
  3. Côte de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire AOC (dry and semi-sweet wines also)
  4. Saint-Croix-du-Mont (sweet only)
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21
Q

What 5 Entre-Deux-Mers AOCs produce Moelleux or semi-sweet wines (1.2 - 4.5% RS)?

A
  1. Graves de Vayres AOC (red & dry white also)
  2. Sainte-Foy-Côtes de Bordeaux AOC (Reds & dry white also)
  3. Entre-deux-mers Haut-Benauge AOC (dry white also)
  4. Côtes de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire AOC (Dry and sweet white also)
  5. Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOC (Red also)
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22
Q

What is the only AOC that is white-only in Entre-Deux-Mers?

A

Entre-deux-Mers AOC

Also Entre-deux-Mers Haut-Benauge DGC

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23
Q

What are the general details of the Bordeaux region of Entre-Deux-Mers?

A
  • between the Dordogne & Garonne Rivers
  • soils are quite complex
  • alluvial deposits flank the rivers
  • some slopes are pure gravel
  • plateaus and hillsides are composite of clay and sand as well as clay and limestone
  • majority of vineyards are dedicated to Sauvignon Blanc
  • most AOCs make dry and sweet wine
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24
Q

T or F? The Médoc region only produces red wine?

A

True

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25
Q

What is the Saint-Émilion classification?

A
  • It is the only Right Bank classification system
  • Established in 1955 revised every 10 years
  • Classification of 2012, 82 properties ranked
  • 4 Premières Grands Cru’s classés A level
  • 14 Premières Grands Cru’s classés B level
  • 64 Grand Cru’s classé

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru = AOC; Saint-Émilion Grand Crus Classé - classif

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26
Q

What is the Graves classification system?

A
  • Classifications in 1953, revised in 1959
  • Ranked the wines of 16 estates:
  • 6 for red + white
  • 3 for white only
  • 7 for red only
  • All wines fall within the Pessac-Leognan AOC and are entitled to the status: “Grand Cru Classé de Graves”

Only system in Bordeaux that ranks the wines, not the estates.

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27
Q

What are Cru Artisans?

A
  • small (2.5-12.5 ac) estates
  • entirely responsible for their own red wine production process
  • 36 in the 2018 classification
  • recognized “boutique” wineries of quality
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28
Q

What is a Petit Chateau?

A

Any unranked or unclassified property.

All Cru Bourgeois are Petit Chateau

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29
Q

What was the Classification of 1855 in Médoc?

A

Napoleon III had the Châteaux ranked in 1855
87 were ranked:
* 60 Châteaux from Medoc
* 1 Château from Pessac-Leognan
* reds were ranked from 1st growth to 5th growth
* 26 Châteaux from Sauternes + Barsac
* whites were ranked from Supérieur growth to 2nd growth

Now 27 wines from Sauternes + Barsac

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30
Q

Why is Bordeaux well known?

A
  • Greatest percentage of large wine estates of any region in France
  • Produces most of France’s luxury bottlings
  • Farms 25% of all AOC wine in France
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31
Q

What are the 2 world heritage sites in Bordeaux?

A

The City of Bordeaux (2007)
Saint-Émilion (1999)

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32
Q

How large is the Bordeaux wine region?

A
  • 63 miles N to S
  • 78 miles E to W
  • 274K acres of vineyards
  • Nearly 4x the size of vineyard landscape of Bourgogne
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33
Q

What is the climate like in Bordeaux?

A
  • Maritime climate due to Atlantic influences
  • Receives 37” of rain per year
  • Irrigation is not necessary or legal
  • Gulf Stream warms and regulates temperatures
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34
Q

What grape suffered the most during the freeze of 1956?

A

Malbec

It was replaced by more cold-hardy Merlot

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35
Q

What are the origins of Bordeaux soils?

A
  • Last Ice Age left extensive river deposits and maritime sediments
  • Bordeaux soils are sedimentary
  • Gravel terraces interspersed with sand, silt, and clay
  • Also fresh-water and salt-water limestone
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36
Q

What are the two types of Bordeaux soils and how do they affect characteristics of wines?

A

Warm Soils (Left Bank)
- Gravel: firm tannins & structured wines
- Sand: more opulent, soft, & fruit forward wine

Cold Soils (Right Bank)
- Clay: produces wine with noticeable texture
- Limestone: wines with pronounced acidity and lean, polished tannins

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37
Q

T or F? The Bordeaux Blend is mandated by law?

A

False

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38
Q

How many miles inland does the Gironde tidal extend?

A

75 Miles

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39
Q

What did the 1855 classification system rank?

A

The price points at which the top wines in Bordeaux were selling

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40
Q

T or F? Bordeaux produces more AOC wines than anywhere else in France.

A

True

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41
Q

What are the four Saint-Émilion satellites?

A
  1. Lussac Saint-Émilion AOC
  2. Montagne-Saint-Émilion AOC
  3. Puisseguin Saint-Émilion AOC
  4. Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion AOC

Same flavors and aromas as Saint Emilion but more delicate structure.

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42
Q

What are the seasons like in Bordeaux?

A

Spring: wet + often accompanied by frost
Summer: warm + sunny. Moderate cloud cover causing grapes to sometimes struggle to ripen
Fall: variable, sometimes rain risking the harvest
Winter: moderate, there can be freezes like 1956

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43
Q

Does “Saint-Émilion Grand Cru” represent a classified estate?

A

No, this is an AOC

“Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé “ represents a classification

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44
Q

What is different about the Pomerol soil?

A

It is very iron rich on marl bedrock

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45
Q

What are the 5 DGCs that can contribute grapes to the Côtes de Bordeaux AOC dry red?

A
  1. Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux DGC
  2. Francs Côtes de Bordeaux DGC
  3. Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux DGC
  4. Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux DGC
  5. Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux DGC
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46
Q

What are the characteristics of the Côtes?

A
  • The slope to the river/estuary
  • Mainly located on right banks
  • Most are southwest facing
  • Have clay/limestone soils
  • Mostly planted to Merlot & Cabernet Franc
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47
Q

What is the Ciron?

A
  • A river with cool water because it travels through shade of Les Landes.
  • It reaches the warm waters of the Garonne and creates mist that promotes Botrytis cenerea.
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48
Q

What is the difference between Claret and Clairet?

A

Claret: English nickname for Bordeaux reds
Clairet: a semi-red, darker than rosé, but lighter than red wine

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49
Q

What are the red grapes on the left bank and right bank in Bordeaux?

A

Left Bank:

  • Gravel: Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot
  • Sand: Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot

Right Bank:

  • Limestone: Cabernet Franc & Malbec
  • Clay: Merlot
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50
Q

Describe the Right Bank AOC of Bourg/Côtes de Bourg/Bourgeais.

A
  • reds and dry white
  • Merlot dominant (red)
  • Sauvignon Blanc dominant (white)
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51
Q

Describe the Côtes de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire AOC.

A
  • dry white, semi-sweet and sweet wine
  • located along the right bank of the Garonne
  • consists of a series of clay and limestone hills
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52
Q

Describe the right bank Blaye AOC and Côtes de Blaye AOC.

A
  • Blaye AOC, red wine only
  • Minimum 50% Merlot and both Cabernets
  • Côtes de Blaye AOC, dry whites only based on Colombard and Ugni Blanc
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53
Q

What are the secondary red grapes in Bordeaux?

A

Malbec
Petit Verdot
Carmenère

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54
Q

Describe the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOC.

A
  • semi-sweet to sweet white
  • Sémillon dominant
  • Minimum 3.4% RS
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55
Q

What soils are better for Cabernet Franc?

A

Cold Soils: limestone

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56
Q

Describe the Francs Côtes de Bordeaux DGC.

A
  • red wine dominates production
  • reds based on Merlot and Cabernet Franc
  • a lot of limestone, so Cabernet Franc is significant comoponent
  • dry and sweet whites based on Sémillon
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57
Q

What soils are best for Merlot?

A

Cold soils - clay

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58
Q

Describe the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux DGC.

A
  • red only
  • abundance of clay
  • Merlot often comprises 70-80% of the blend
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59
Q

Describe the Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux DGC

A
  • right bank of the Garonne
  • Red only
  • Merlot dominant but w/ significant Cabernet Sauvignon
  • soils: clay and limestone interspersed with pockets of gravel
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60
Q

What soil types are best for Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Warm soils: gravel + sand

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61
Q

What are the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Sauvignon Blanc + Cabernet Franc

62
Q

Describe the Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux DGC.

A
  • dry white, red
  • 3% of all the dry white wine made in Bordeaux
  • Only 40% of production is red (Merlot-based)
63
Q

Which classification system ranks the wines of Bordeaux not the Estates?

A

Graves
22 Crus Classés de Graves (or Grand Crus Classés de Graves)

16 estates

64
Q

Who invaded Bordeaux after the fall of Rome?

A

Vandals, Visigoths then the Franks

65
Q

What event happened in 1152?

A

Eleanor d’ Aquitaine married Henry Plantagenet, Count of Anjou

Henry then became King Henry II of England and Duke of Normandy

This union gave England control over Aquitaine, Gascony and a good portion of western France.

66
Q

What gave birth to Bordeaux’s 1st Golden Age?

A

The commercial ties to England brought about by Eleanor of Aquitaine & Henry Plantagenet

67
Q

What was the Hundred Years War?

A

England’s King Edward III refused to pay homage to the King of France starting the war.
The French won the war in 1453 at the Battle of Castillon.

68
Q

What did the Dutch do in the 1600s to Bordeaux?

A
  • The Dutch mercantile empire gained significant influence after the 100 years war.
  • Bordeaux shifted production to dry white wine to meet Dutch needs.
  • The Dutch drained the Médoc peninsula reclaiming vineyard lands.
69
Q

What heralded Bordeaux’s 2nd Golden Age?

A
  • Trade with new Dutch and British colonies.
  • The wealthy began building luxurious Chateaus with surrounding vineyards.
  • This was started by Haut Brion.
70
Q

What was the impact of the railway on Bordeaux?

A

The railway linked Bordeaux to inland France reviving trade.

71
Q

Who was Napoleon III?

A
  • He was pro-mercantile and re-established trade with England.
  • He initiated the reasons for the 1855 classification system.
72
Q

What is Powdery Mildew?

A
  • It is a fungal disease that hit Bordeaux in 1852.
  • Thick white filaments blanket the vine which can reduce yields, retard pigment and stunt cluster growth.
  • It also creates off flavors.
73
Q

What is Phylloxera?

A
  • A small insect indigenous to the USA that arrived in Bordeaux in 1865.
  • It kills grapevines by attacking roots, saliva creates galls in the vine.
  • European Vitis Vinifera vines are unable to heal over the bite wounds.
  • Bacteria and fungi enter the plant and rot the root.
  • American vines are immune to this vineyard pest.
74
Q

What is Downy Mildew?

A
  • It is a fungal disease that hit Bordeaux in 1880.
  • Germinates in warm, humid weather.
  • Attacks leave and stems, first with “oil spots” the with white cotton filaments.
  • Vines lose leaves which can delay or prevent ripening.
75
Q

Describe the Libournais right bank AOCs Saint-Émilion & Saint-Émilion Grand Cru.

A
  • They cover the exact same area of production.
  • Grand cru has tougher standards: lower yields and higher alcohol.
  • Grand Cru must also be bottled at the Chateaux with 2 tastings 1 before and 1 after the 1 year of bottle time.
  • Limestone & Clay soil with high acid and polished tannins
  • Sandy soil is fruit forward.
76
Q

Describe the Libournais right bank AOCs of Pomerol and Lalande-de-Pomerol.

A
  • Merlot & Cabernet Franc blends with heady aromas and rich textures.
  • Soft, velvety, round, and generous.
  • Unique Iron rich clay soils.
  • Lalande-de-Pomerol wines are less aromatic and less structured than Pomerol and characterized by bright berry fruit.
77
Q

Describe the Libournais right bank AOCs of Fronsac & Canon Fronsac.

A
  • Only two Libournais AOCs that lie on the right bank of the Isle River.
  • Clay & limestone soils.
  • Merlot & Cabernet Franc dominant.
  • Wines are characterized by red fruits and black pepper.
78
Q

Describe the Graves left bank AOC of Pessac-Léognan.

A
  • Received AOC status in 1987
  • Northwest portion of Graves with deep gravel soils.
  • Note-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon based reds.
  • Many reds possess a unique hint of clove on the finish.
  • Also Sauvignon-based whites often see oak.
79
Q

What are the general details on the right bank region of the Libournais?

A
  • Principle City is Libourne.
  • Merlot & Cabernet Franc blends
  • Silken in texture less powerfully structured than the left bank.
80
Q

What happened in 1956 in Bordeaux?

A

A deep freeze that killed 1/4 of Bordeaux vines.

Those that replanted did so with red grapes primarily Merlot.

81
Q

What are the 3 principle red grapes of Bordeaux?

A
  1. Merlot 59%
  2. Cabernet Sauvignon 20%
  3. Cabernet Franc 8%
82
Q

What are the 3 principal white grapes in Bordeaux?

A

Sémillon 5%
Sauvignon Blanc 5%
Muscadelle less than 3%

83
Q

What is Les Landes?

A

A massive man made forest, 2.5 million acres

Planted to protect the Médoc peninsula.

84
Q

When did the Romans arrive in Bordeaux?

A

1st Century

85
Q

What did the 1789 French Revolution do to Bordeaux?

A

Because the merchant class not the Church owned the vineyards the impact was not as bad as in Bourgogne.

86
Q

Why did Bordeaux escape the extreme fractionalization of Vineyard holdings that we saw in Bourgogne?

A
  • Incorporation
  • The Bordelais incorporated their estates
  • Ownership was “fragmented” on paper as shares, but the Chateaux and vineyards remained intact
87
Q

Just as trade began to flourish in Bordeaux in the 1800’s, what 3 things hit the vineyards?

A

1852 Powdery Mildew
1865 Phylloxera
1880 Downy Mildew

88
Q

What is the main grape on Bordeaux’s left bank?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

89
Q

How are reds from Entre-deux-Mers labeled?

A

Bordeaux AOC & Bordeaux Supérieur AOC

90
Q

What Médoc AOC is considered the most “Feminine” and perfumed?

A

Margaux AOC

91
Q

Why is Graves suited for sweet wine production?

A

Damp, foggy mornings followed by warm dry afternoons that promote Noble Rot.

92
Q

What style of wine is produced in the Cérons, Barsac and Sauternes AOCs?

A

Sweet wines affected by Noble Rot

93
Q

What defines Cru Bourgeois?

A
  • A list created in 1932 of 444 Châteaux from the Médoc not included in the 1855 classification.
  • Ratification in 2020 (for the 2018 vintage). 249 châteaux were ranked in three levels.
  • Ranking will be reviewed every five years.

Crus Bourgeois, Crus Bourgeois Supérieurs, Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels.

94
Q

What Bordeaux soils are considered cold?

A

Clay & Limestone because they retain moisture.

95
Q

Describe the Graves left bank AOC of Sauternes.

A
  • Special Macro climate promoting Botrytis.
  • Southernmost portion of Graves.
  • The Sauternais consists of the 3 AOCs: Sauternes, Barsac, Cérons
  • The Ciron River creates the fog that engenders Botrytis.
96
Q

What are the general details on the Bordeaux wine region of Graves?

A
  • Warm gravel soils
  • Whites are predominantly Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon blends
  • Reds are Cabernet Sauvignon based blends
97
Q

What are the main grapes of Bordeaux’s right bank?

A

Merlot & Cabernet Franc

98
Q

Why is Malbec seldom planted in Bordeaux?

A

The winter freeze of 1956 destroyed most Malbec plantings.

And they were replaced with Merlot.

99
Q

Describe the Sauternais AOC of Cérons.

A
  • produced in three communes north of Barsac
  • tiny area under vine
  • maximum yields higher than Sauternes or Barsac
  • soil has higher gravel and sand content
100
Q

Describe the Sauternais AOC of Barsac.

A
  • lies on left bank of the Ciron across from Sauternes.
  • clay-limestone plateau
  • wine display a distinctive lemony freshness attributed to limestone
  • Can bottle as Sauternes if desired (in Sauternes zone of production)
101
Q

Describe the Sauternais AOC of Sauternes.

A
  • soils are diverse, but generally sand, gravel, clay, marl, and limestone.
  • 2/3 planted to Sémillon, 1/3 to Sauvignon Blanc
  • wines are sweet and voluptuous, complex and concentrated with great aging ability.
102
Q

What are the 3 AOCs of Graves and the 3 AOCs of Sauternais?

A

3 Graves AOCs
* Graves AOC (red & white)
* Graves Supérieur AOC (semi-sweet whites)
* Pessac-Léognan AOC (red & white)

3 Sauternais AOCs
* Sauternes AOC
* Barsac AOC
* Cérons AOC

103
Q

What style of wine is made under the Entre-deux-Mers AOC?

A

dry white wines only

104
Q

What is “Clairet”

A

A semi-red wine made by the saignée method

105
Q

Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross between?

A

Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc

106
Q

What 3 Bordeaux winegrowing areas were included in the 1855 Classification?

A

Médoc (60 Chateaus)
Graves (now Pessac-Leognan) (1 Chateau)
Sauternes/Barsac (26 Chateaus)

Now 61 Médoc, 27 Sauternes/Barsac

107
Q

What style of wine is made in the Médoc ?

A

Dry reds only

108
Q

What moderates Bordeaux’s climate?

A
  • the Gulf Stream
  • Les Landes
  • a network of rivers
109
Q

What is the main soil type of Bordeaux’s left bank?

A

Gravel

110
Q

What are the 3 primary white grapes in Bordeaux?

A
  1. Sémillon
  2. Sauvignon Blanc
  3. Muscadelle
111
Q

How many categories of “Growths” were given to red wines in Bordeaux’s 1855 Classification?

A

Five

112
Q

What style of wine is produced in the Libournais?

A
  • Merlot-based blends, with juicy red fruit, smooth body and subtle tannins
  • Wines from the Libournais can be powerful, but tend to be softer and smoother than wines from the Left Bank
113
Q

A semi-sweet wine from Graves must be labeled as?

A

Graves Supérieurs AOC

114
Q

What did the 1953 Graves Classification rank?

A

The wines of 16 estates, rather than the estates themselves

115
Q

What estate is the only Premier Cru Supérieur of the 1855 Classification?

A

Château d’Yquem

116
Q

What are the main soil types of Bordeaux’s right bank?

A

clay & limestone

117
Q

How does Bordeaux Supérieur AOC differ from Bordeaux AOC?

A
  • Stricter production standards
  • Lower max yields and higher alcohol
  • Reds must be aged until June 15th of following year
  • Whites are always semi-sweet
118
Q

What is the difference between Saint-Émilion Grand Cru and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé?

A

The first one is an AOC, the second is a ranking within the classification system.

119
Q

What Bordeaux AOC produces dry whites mainly from Colombard and Ugni Blanc?

A

Côtes de Blaye AOC

120
Q

What are the 5 sub-regional designations (DGCs) of the Côtes de Bordeaux AOC?

A

Blaye
Francs
Castillon

Sainte-Foy
Cadillac

121
Q

What style of wines is produced in the Cadillac, Loupiac, and Ste-Croix-du-Mont AOC’s?

A

Sweet wines affected by Noble Rot

122
Q

What right bank sub-region has a classification system?

A

Saint-Émilion

123
Q

What Médoc AOC is considered the most Californian?

A

Saint-Julien

124
Q

What is the primary grape of Entre-Deux-Mers?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

125
Q

What defines the term “Petit Château”?

A

“Petit Château” is an unofficial term for an unclassified property in the Bordeaux region

126
Q

What Bordeaux soils are considered warm?

A

Gravel and sand because they radiate heat back to the vine

127
Q

What are the production stats on Bordeaux wine?

A
  • 5,660 estates
  • 300 wine merchants
  • 72 brokers
  • 29 co-operatives
  • 3 co-operative unions
    553 million bottles of wine (2019)
128
Q

Describe rosé production in Bordeaux.

A

2 types produced
rosé: pink
* rosé receives quick maceration resulting in lighter color

clairet: light red
* clairet receives a maceration of 24-36 hours, made saignée

129
Q

What are some characteristics of how red wine is produced in Bordeaux.

A
  • Grape Varieties are harvested and fermented separately as are young and old vines
  • Fermentation 8 - 10 days
  • Maceration 15 - 21 days or longer
  • Blended after malolactic fermentation
  • Barrels/barriques add wood tannins to wine needing time to soften or mellow
130
Q

Describe sweet wine production in Bordeaux?

A

MOELLEUX (semi-sweet)
* Grapes can be hand harvested, selective sorting not required
* Sound grapes and botrytized grapes are combined
* Finished RS 1.2 - 4.5% RS (12-45 g/l)

LIQUOREUX (sweet)
* Only botrytized infected, hand picked grapes are used
* Multiple passes in the vineyard are used
* Finished RS > 4.5% RS (45 g/l)

131
Q

Describe the left bank AOC of Moulis-en-Médoc/Moulis.

A
  • varied soils with higher content of clay and marls
  • climate less moderated because of distance from the Gironde
  • wines are primarily Merlot-based and full-bodied
132
Q

Describe the dry white wine production in Bordeaux.

A
  • wide range of quality levels
  • one end: bright, fresh, fermented and matured in stainless steel w/ no malo so that aromatics are preserved
  • other end: top-end wines from Pessac-Léognan/Graves/dry white in Sauternes or Barsac, often barrel fermented and aged on lees, richer textures and creamier flavors
133
Q

What are the Crémant de Bordeaux wines like?

A
  • Made in the Methode Traditionelle method
  • Minimum 9 months aging sur lie
  • White or Rosé
  • Extra Brut to Doux
134
Q

What are the Rosés like in Bordeaux?

A

always dry
pink in color, no orange

135
Q

Describe the left bank AOC of Listrac-Médoc.

A
  • edge of vineyard landscape where it meets the forest
  • soils: clay, sands, and limestone
  • Merlot predominant in blend
  • heavier and denser with less fragrance than other Médoc
  • benefit from a few years in the cellar
136
Q

Describe the left bank AOC of Margaux.

A

The most feminine and perfumed of the Médoc AOCs

137
Q

What are the details on the Médoc and Haut Médoc AOCs

A
  • Representing a large portion of the western peninsula on the left bank
  • Médoc AOC is a small growing area in the north – clay and limestone
  • Haut-Médoc AOC is south – gravel atop various subsoils
138
Q

Côt is a synonym for which grape variety?

A

Malbec

139
Q

What are the prefered soils for Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Merlot: clay
Cabernet Franc: limestone
Cabernet Sauvignon: gravel & sand

140
Q

Describe the left bank AOC of Saint-Julien.

A

Considered the most California like
Chocolate and cherry

141
Q

Describe the left bank AOC of Pauillac.

A
  • powerful, structured wines with tremendous ageability
  • benchmark note of dusty cocoa
142
Q

Describe the left bank AOC of Saint-Estèphe.

A
  • higher percentage of clay (windier/cooler)
  • higher percentage of Merlot in Cab-sauv-dominant blend
143
Q

What are the 8 AOCs (regional and communal) on the Médoc peninsula?

A

8 AOCs (ALL RED WINES)
* 2 sub-regional AOC’s
Médoc & Haut Médoc, facing primarily to the west
* 6 Communal AOC’s
Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Margaux in the east
Moulis-en-Médoc and Listrac-Médoc in the center

Crémant de Bordeaux also covers this area.

144
Q

What are the 6 Bordeaux sub-regional AOC’s?

A

They refer to a singular part of the region:
* Médoc
* Graves
* the Sauternais
* Entre-deux-Mers
* the Libournais
* the Côtes

145
Q

Describe the Entre-Deux-Mers area in Bordeaux.

A
  • soils are quite complex
  • majority of vineyards dedicated to Sauvignon Blanc
  • most AOCs make dry and sweet wine
  • red blends are Merlot dominant and bottled as Bordeaux AOC
146
Q

Describe the right bank in Bordeaux.

A
  • String of small hills interrupted by a low lying plateaus and deep valleys
  • Clay & limestone soils
  • Blends are based on Merlot & Cabernet Franc
  • Supple wines with soft plummy fruit
147
Q

Describe the left bank of Bordeaux.

A
  • Relatively flat
  • Gravel soils
  • Cabernet Sauvignon based blends
  • More firmly structured, lots of tannins
148
Q

What are the 3 main areas of Bordeaux?

A

Left Bank
Right Bank
Entre-Deux-Mers

149
Q

What is Bordeaux’s most planted white grape variety?

A

Sémillon

150
Q

What is Bordeaux’s most planted grape variety?

A

Merlot

151
Q

Who was Joseph Capus?

A

He was deputy of the Gironde and as Ministery of Agriculture, drafted the document that became the French appellation d’origine contrôlée legislation.

French Wine Scholar 2024 (17 decks)

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